About 80 boxes arrived from Tbilisi - clothes, toys, shoes, school supplies.
Employees of the Women Fund “Sukhumi” packed gifts for several days. The gifts were selected by age and season. We received this gift from the organization Women for Justice (donor - OrphanGrainFoundation).
Our organization did charity work independently. And now we have received serious support and will distribute clothes as gifts to the beneficiaries of the rehabilitation center, activists of Women Support Centers and members of mutual-support groups.
The beneficiaries of our rehabilitation center expressed their gratitude:
“A gift is always welcome and timely. At the same time, it has high quality and is very practical. It will be useful for both me and my boys.”
“My children and I often have problems with clothing. Good, kind people help us. We are very pleased with this gift."
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Meetings with the psychologist of the Women Fund “Sukhumi” were held in Women Support Centers of Vani, Kobuleti, Chokhatauri, Zugdidi and Tsalenjikha municipalities. The meetings were held mainly in a group format - there were also online meetings and individual meetings based on the needs of children.
The main topic of the meetings was: “What are the characteristics of a rapist.” It was noted that perhaps most of them did not have sufficient support and upbringing in childhood, they had low self-esteem, and were socially isolated. When a person's self-satisfaction is low, he needs emotional support from others.
The main focus of the psychologist's meetings was family relationships, the relationship between husband and wife... The conversation on these topics turned out to be interesting for the meeting participants.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Initiative, active mutual support groups were created in 10 municipalities.
Project assistant met group members in Tskaltubo, Chokhatauri, Zugdidi (village Khurcha) and Vani municipalities, and held an online meeting with the Bagdati group.
Case related to early marriage was discussed in Tskaltubo, in Chokhatauri they talked about the problems of rural women. Bagdati group talked about more effective assistance to violence victims, and in Khurcha, the active participation of local government was emphasized. Psychologist held an ordinary meeting with Vani women group.
other five municipalities - Senaki, Tsalenjikha, Samtredia, Terjola and Kobuleti - the group leaders held meetings themselves. Problems were identified everywhere (payment of alimony, housing or property cases), and advocacy is carried out in cooperation with local government. Group members want their work and results to be an example for other women.
The project is implemented with the support the Equality Fund (Canada)
The Women Fund “Sukhumi” held a round table in Kobuleti municipality with the participation of representatives of local referral entities (organized by the gender council of the municipality).
Participants talked about prevention of violence and protection of violence victims, discussed the current situation regarding domestic violence and issues of social cooperation.
The main emphasis was placed on partnership of local structures to solve the problem of domestic violence.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Gender, gender-based violence, identification of violence, communication with a child and referral stages, legal mechanisms and international documents, the role of teachers in violence prevention - these issues were discussed at a training held for teachers in Kutaisi, in the office of the Women Fund “Sukhumi”.
Participants represented 6 municipalities (Chokhatauri, Vani, Khoni, Zugdidi, Tskaltubo and Bagdati). They actively participated in the work process, discussions and shared their experiences with each other.
It was noted that the training participants will introduce gender approaches into their schools and will contribute to the destruction of stereotypes and the prevention of violence.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The National Association of Local Authorities of Georgia (NALA), with the support of the United Nations Women's Organization and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, organized a national conference titled "Gender Equality Agenda at the Local Level: Main Challenges and Action Steps." Heads of municipalities, representatives from legislative and executive authorities, as well as international and local civil society organizations, participated in the high-level conference.
The representative of the Women's Fund "Sukhumi," Ekaterine Gamakharia, attended the conference. During the discussion, she emphasized the necessity to enhance the role of children's rights protection departments and mayors' representatives in villages. There is a need to strengthen the link between these entities to better inform women, introduce local policies tailored to their needs, and address issues of women at the local level. Additionally, she highlighted the importance of implementing effective mechanisms for the prevention and protection of domestic violence.
It is noteworthy that at the conclusion of the conference, with NALA's advocacy, five additional Georgian municipalities signed the European Charter on the Equality of Women and Men in Local Life. This brings the total to 26 self-governing units that have joined the charter thus far. This time, the self-governing units of Zugdidi, Zestaponi, Chokhatauri, Samtredia, and Baghdati joined the document, thereby affirming their willingness and support for the principles of gender equality in their municipalities.
An online information meeting was held with employees of kindergarten No. 13 in Kutaisi.
During the presentation, participants got acquainted with the guide "Prevention and response to gender-based violence in war and post-war conditions - experience and recommendations of women’s NGOs" prepared by the Network: Women Against Violence Europe (WAVE).
They were particularly interested in the successful practice of the Women Fund “Sukhumi”, to which one of the chapters of the guide is dedicated.
The project is implemented with the support of the Urgent Action Fund for Women's Human Rights
Information meeting with an active part of the local community was held in the village Jvartskhma (Chokhatauri municipality). Participants were informed about the experience of women's organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ukraine, Armenia, and Georgia. Particular attention was paid to the work of the Women Fund “Sukhumi” - all this is described in the guidebook "Prevention and response to gender-based violence in war and post-war conditions - experience and recommendations of women’s NGOs".
The participants got acquainted with the strategy that our organization uses in the issues of post-conflict rehabilitation, assistance to victims of violence/risk groups, and violence prevention.
According to participants, it is difficult to make progress in reducing violence without deep public awareness of the problem and understanding of its own responsibility. The areas where they see their active role were identified and they are ready to work closely with the Fund “Sukhumi”.
The project is implemented with the support of the Urgent Action Fund for Women's Human Rights
During these meetings we hear information that we all need! We talk about our problems and feel that we are not alone. When solving any problem, there are people who care about us – this was the assessment given by participants at information meetings in Women Support Centers.
According to them, all existing services are important, so information about them should be available to all beneficiaries so that they can use them in case of need.
Psychologists from the Fund “Sukhumi” actively worked in Women Support Centers; their work is important during both prevention and assistance. In parallel with the information, 10 new cases of violence were identified. Work on these cases is carried out using the resources of our organization.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
